Chapter 501
Stephen immediately apologized. "I'm sorry."
Irene could tell that Isaac had done a serious number on Stephen since she saw how Hannah reacted to Isaac-she never
would have been so hostile otherwise.
And Irene certainly knew what Isaac is like.
"It's fine," she said. "Isaac must have bothered you a lot."
Hannah was bringing her tea, and when she heard Irene, she said, 'That's putting it lightly-'
'Hannah," Stephen said, cutting her short.
Hannah held her silence reluctantly, and passed the tea to Irene, "Here, have some tea."
She had no idea that Irene was the reason Isaac abducted Stephen-if she did, she would not have let Irene in, let alone
made her tea.
Stephen never told Hannah much about his work, and silence was certainly the best policy in Irene's case, giving him
even less reason to tell to avoid causing her trouble.
Hannah was certainly no villain either, but she was not about to watch as her own husband was harassed.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt'What's your name?" she asked Irene.
Irene smiled. "I'm Irene Spencer. You can just call me Irene."
As she spoke, she brushed her hair from her ear so that Hannah would not get spooked from her scars.
'I see... What's your relationship with that Jefferson man?" Hannah asked, and kept ranting before Irene could
answer, "Look, you should really stay away from him. He's a real villain, forcing Stephen to retire and making him
take the blame for criminal negligence-"
'Hannah." Stephen cut her short again. "I need to speak with Dr. Spencer in private. Could you give US the room?"
"Alright, I'll leave you two to it," Hannah got up just then, and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Stephen sighed. "Sorry, she can get a little talkative-"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Irene felt guilty after hearing what Hannah had to say, and was naturally uncomfortable that Isaac had forced
Stephen into retirement.
Nonetheless, Stephen chuckled. "I'm going to retire eventually."
"But your career. You should have retired as a doctor decorated with honors..."
'Those don't matter," Stephen said. "As long as you're not upset with me."
After thinking about it, he added, "I let my frustrations get the better of me, since Isaac was threatening me with
my family..."
'I get it," Irene replied. “I know what he's like."
"Anyway, I had no idea what or who tipped him off, but he somehow realized that the body wasn't yours and he
came looking for me."
Even now, Stephen was convinced that his plan had been flawless, and he simply could not understand how Isaac
found out.
Irene did not either, but it did not matter now.
She showed Stephen the research materials, saying, "These are the data of Mead Clinic's research on a fully
artificial heart. I'm sure it would help our country's own research on the subject, but I just don't know who I should
give it to."
Stephen looked at her in surprise. "Shouldn't this be shown at the forum?'
Irene smiled ironically. "It turns out that salvation has borders."
Stephen understood right then, and he told her, "Just leave this to me."
"Yes," she replied. 'I will have ease of mind now-at the very least, Zidonia's medical development wouldn't be so
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmpassive."
Stephen's eyes twinkled as he looked at her. "I was right about you."
He was pleased that Irene's ability and vision far surpassed what he expected-it was as if such vigor was not expected of
her age group and gender.
'I stole this. I need to return to my hotel soon," she said just then.
Stephen nodded. "Be careful."
"I know," she replied, but Stephen stopped her again just as she reached the door.
"Did Isaac put you on the spot?"
Irene turned around then, wondering where that had come from.
'I told him that you left him for another man, and that your child was someone else's..." Stephen said, and quickly
explained, "I was just trying to rile him up-he really is too much sometimes.
Irene was not upset, however, and she even smiled.
"No, he didn't," she said, even assuring Stephen, "It's good that you did it, too-he really should be put in his place from
time to time."
Stephen sighed. "Sorry, I only remembered that he might really hurt you if he bought my lies when I came home..."
"I'm fine. You should rest—I'll get going now.'
Hannah politely walked Irene to the door, but when she opened it, she saw that Isaac was still standing outside!